Louis' BIG trip

We wanted to share an awesome email that we received from the awesome Kiwi Googler, Luke. We are still blown away by how everyones kindness and energy have made this trip a reality and such a joy. Thanks to Luke for giving us the words for a better understanding. From Luke.. ""I think yesterday really taught me that ones person's struggle can be a huge growth opportunity for everybody else around them - it gives us all a chance to step up, open our hearts and give generously, and the rewards are intangible and priceless"" We want want to thank you all again, as the gift you have given Louis, and our family are tangible and priceless to us. Deepest thanks.

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Hi Everyone. I'm not sure if you are reading these updates but I just wanted to let you know that the boys are on their way and having a ball. Tim said the day at Google was life changing. The generosity, kindness and genius of the people working there blew Louis away. They saw Google glasses, rode in the driverless car, saw the latest in researchcthings that people working at Google hadn't even seen. They ended the day at NASA. Seriously! Jerome can't wait to show me the gift bag they gave them because he is our science nut and he said it is 'Awesome!' At the end, Luke, the gorgeous ex pat Kiwi who stayed with them all day, gave Louis the most amazing watch called Eone. It is a piece of art. Louis is going to have to fight us all off it! Today they are terrifying Tim on the rides at Disneyland and are soon are off to Boston, where apparently they are all over the TV. I did a TV interview recently with them in my PJ's. So embarrassing! I hope Tim remembers to dress the boys..at this point I'm not one to talk. Hope you are all well. Tim is posting everyday on Facebook under 'Louis' Dream Trip' if you are keen to catch up on where your wonderful generosity has taken them. With enormous thanks as always, this is your adventure as much as it is ours. C&T

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Hi Ethan Thanks heaps for thinking of us. Louis is really pleased with himself this week because he made the !st Eleven at school. It is a bit weird because he can't see print in books but he can see balls coming at him really fast. He is determined to play sport as long as he can and now he is looking for games he can play at the Paralympics. We think they should be called the Olympics Extreme because anyone can run 100 mt but it is really amazing if you can do it on one leg! Thank your mum heaps to. I bet, like me , she loves seeing you play. So work really hard and be the best you can be. It is 4 more sleeps till Louis goes. He said he is having trouble sleeping because he is so excited. If you follow him on Facebook under Louis' dream trip you will be able to keep up with his adventure. Always remember gorgeous boy, that he is there because of you and it is an amazing gift you have given him :-) C&T&L xx

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Hi Andy and Leksy Thank you so much for your message. I have long held that there was something more we could be doing diet wise to help the inflammation etc so I was really interested in your comment. We have been doing the basics of fish oil, Vit A and a diet low on sugar and processed foodc.in saying that I've gotta wonder why the kid always seems to have a lollie sticking out of his mouth! Do they do Saffron lollies? We will definitely look into it. Thanks again :-)

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Hi All You would not believe how terrified we were going on Seven Sharp! We are still feeling a little raw from last year and are still not really sure how we will navigate the challenges ahead, so speaking publicly felt really difficult. A warm thank you to Michael and Leigh for handling the story so beautifully. To all of you... Your kind words, positivity and encouragement means so much to us. You all recognising the the passion, joy and inspiration that is 'Louis' is how we feel watching him every day. He teaches us never to take the beauty of the day for granted and is living proof that a problem shared is a problem halved. We are humbled. To see beauty in all things is something we would like to stand by. With love and thanks C

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Hi All Thanks so much for your thoughts and prayers. Louis is continuing to be surrounded by amazing people and adventures. Today he spent time with the Breakers, our awesome premier basketball team, who were lovely guys and showed Louis how fluid and effortless great basketball can be. He then had a ride in a Ferrari...they wouldn't let him drive surprisingly! :-) Hope all is well in your worlds. Happy Valentines day!

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Hi Steve You know i am prepared to offer up the Celtics, and the awesome doctors and Google, but now it sounds like I am going to miss out on the best pizza as well! It is a cruel blow. As you would have seen, NZ has great lamb but not a lot of great pizza so while Tim and the boys are rubbing their hands with glee I'm off to buy myself some chocolate. Your offer is so gorgeous and thoughtful. It is time you came back to visit us. Go the Celtics! Go USA!

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• 13/02/2014 by New

  Hi Steve You know i am prepared to offer up the Celtics, and the awesome doctors and Google, but now it sounds like I am going to miss out on the best pizza as well! It is a cruel blow. As you would have seen, NZ has great lamb but not a lot of great pizza so while Tim and the boys are rubbing their hands with glee I'm off to buy myself some chocolate. Your offer is so gorgeous and thoughtful. It is time you came back to visit us. Go the Celtics! Go USA!

Hi dear friends Hope you have seen the paper this morning. Celtics contacted the Herald and Give a Little yesterday to offer their support in getting Louis to Boston. We are not sure what to say (apart from thank you thank you thank u) because you have all made sure already that Louis is going to get to the game. This wave of care and kindness is now feeling tidal. The absolute gold in this is that they have arranged an appointment with Eric Pierce, who is at the forefront of gene therapy and another meeting at an eye research centre so we will know exactly what's happening for the boys eyes and what's coming in the future for them. Our doctor, the gorgeous Andrea Vincent, said there is hope for the boys, and although you don't like to dwell on it, it is always on the back of your mind. Just imagine. your kindness has made this all possible. It is our intention that the boys live everyday in the best way possible. You helping us, has made us steady knowing their future will be lived the same way. We are unsure how, at the moment, to make this a gift for other children and families who are in similar situations but we know there is a way to make this gift grow and enrich others like it is enriching us. With love and thanks. C & T. PS We are loving the messages :-)

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To the gorgeous family in Rotorua. Giving your pocket money?!! That was the most amazing present to us. Do you all love basketball as much as we do? Kirk Penney left a wonderful message saying he used to dream of being amazing at basketball when he was young. He should know how much pleasure, watching him, has given us and how inspired it makes us to dream big and work hard. He wanted to help Louis to live his dream to so he is as kind as he is talented. So now it is You and Kirk inspiring us. Look for a sign with your name on it at the game. Louis is going to make signs and run around the stadium trying to get on TV so we can send messages to all the people we love at home. We will make yours the biggest. L&C x

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• 17/02/2014 by New

  To the gorgeous family in Rotorua. Giving your pocket money?!! That was the most amazing present to us. Do you all love basketball as much as we do? Kirk Penney left a wonderful message saying he used to dream of being amazing at basketball when he was young. He should know how much pleasure, watching him, has given us and how inspired it makes us to dream big and work hard. He wanted to help Louis to live his dream to so he is as kind as he is talented. So now it is You and Kirk inspiring us. Look for a sign with your name on it at the game. Louis is going to make signs and run around the stadium trying to get on TV so we can send messages to all the people we love at home. We will make yours the biggest. L&C x

You are all making Louis' wish list come true. Tim and I are stunned..after all it is a 'wish' list. You are making our prayers come true as well. Double whammy. Kindness and generosity are infectious. We will do our best to pass it on. C&T

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Thanks SHC friend. You have all been amazing. You are our pillars. C&T

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We are not sure how long Louis can take this. His smile is so big, even in his sleep, that I think his face might crack!! Thank you all so much for doing this for him. Cx

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Hi Wynands. An awesome message. Warm thanks C &T

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Go the Celtics!! In regards to an earlier post we really want to keep you all up to date on the adventures and the massive generosity we are experiencing. For example, the Black Caps let Louis come into their changing room. They signed his shirt and gave him caps, a sweat shirt and a cool signed bat. But mostly, their time and kindness. What an experience for him. Beside himself!! We have set up a Facebook page and will put pictures on this cool site as well. We can all follow him together. Tim is going with him, which is lucky for all of us cause he is a much better photographer than I am. Cx

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Hi Everyone Tim and I would like to say a warm thank you to you all. We are overwhelmed with the care and kindness of everyone who has taken the time to support Louis and our family. This gorgeous gift that you are giving him has moved us in a profound way. From the warmth, energy and enormous heart of Kate and Warren. Who, after a year of watching Tim and I crumble with the reality of Louisf rapidly deteriorating vision, decided to take action for us because they knew we were struggling. This trip, which is a dream for Louis, would never have happened without you. The support, space and time that it has given Tim and I, has been a lifeline. We feel invigorated and ready to take this new chapter on. This is so different to how we felt two weeks ago. Having you all behind us is helping us let go of our enormous fear. It has been a lesson for us in humility and hope. We are sincere when we say you have all changed our world. We are humbled. The only advice that we have been given regarding early vision loss has been to travel widely, focusing on height, colour and textures to develop the boyfs visual memory. Giving them these adventures and experiences helps keep them engaged and connected in their relationships and with the world around them. The issue we have is the speed of the sight loss and Louisfyoung age. What do you do first? How do you afford it? How do you saturate him in this world of beauty and colour? You are answering our questions. To have you all come together to enrich him with the gift at the top of his wish list, for our family, is priceless and will never be forgotten. We know how much Louis will gain from this trip. The pure joy and excitement of being near the Celtics in the basketball stadium will sustain him for a lifetime. At this point he may be the happiest 12 year old in the world. But we think it is more than that. Louis is learning about the powerof kindness and generosity. That he is not alone, because he is deeply loved and will always be supported. That he can be fearless and an inspiration. That the world is good. That you can do without your vision, but not without an enormous heart. In a nutshell, you are helping us form him into a young man of who we can all be proud of. Anything he achieves in the future will be a result of your kindness today. We know it. We are so grateful for it. There isnft anything we wouldnft do to repay it to you, if and when we can. To Kate and Warren To our darling friends and family To our school and community To you, the strangers with enormous kind hearts, love and thanks always Catherine and Tim Corbett

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